Intermittent fasting may provide some short-term health benefits but pose some long-term risks, a new study warns.
While previous investigations have linked intermittent fasting with improved blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol levels, new evidence shows this popular eating pattern may increase the risk of death from heart disease over time.
Researchers analyzed dietary patterns of more than 20,000 adults and compared them to U.S. data from the National Death Index.
The results showed people who ate all of their food across less than 8 hours per day had a 91% higher risk of death from heart disease.
The increased risk was also seen in people with existing heart disease or cancer.
And the researchers say time-restricted eating did not reduce the overall odds of death from any cause.
However, their analysis did show an eating duration of more than 16 hours per day was associated with a lower risk of cancer death in people with cancer.
The senior author says, “It’s crucial for patients, particularly those with existing heart conditions or cancer, to be aware of the association between an 8-hour eating window and increased risk of cardiovascular death.”
He says these findings support the need for more personalized dietary recommendations that align with a person’s individual health status.
